BASE CATALYZED TRANSESTERIFICATION OF VEGETABLE OILS

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Abstract
Anhydrous methanolic sodium hydroxide catalyzed transesterification of vegetable oils yielded pure methyl esters within one minute at ambient temperature under nitrogen. Neither benzene nor phenolphthalein was required to maintain adequate stability of methanolic sodium hydroxide transesterification reagent. Additional esterification with methanolic HCl to convert free fatty acids to methyl esters was not required. Neutralization of excess base with 2.0 M HCl stopped saponification. Transesterification catalyzed by 1.0 M methanolic NaOH was reproducible and quantitative. Pentane and diethyl ether were excellent solvents for methanolic sodium hydroxide catalysis.